The largest private university in New Jersey, FDU is a not-for-profit, nonsectarian, multicampus institution. Founded in 1942, FDU achieved four-year status in 1948 and approval as a university in 1956.
The University offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including doctoral programs in pharmacy, nursing practice, clinical psychology and school psychology; and an AACSB-accredited business school. Degree programs are offered on two New Jersey campuses and at two FDU locations outside the U.S.: Wroxton College, in Oxfordshire in England, and the Vancouver Campus, in British Columbia, Canada.
FDU’s 12,000+ full- and part-time students pursue quality career-oriented programs on schedules tailored to their needs — days, evenings and weekends.
The curriculum reflects a mission of global education and a foundation of a nationally-renowned Core.
Mission
Fairleigh Dickinson University is a center of academic excellence dedicated to the preparation of world citizens through global education. The University strives to provide students with the multi-disciplinary, intercultural, and ethical understandings necessary to participate, lead, and prosper in the global marketplace of ideas, commerce, and culture.
Commitment
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment Statement
Fundamental to its mission, vision, and core values, Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) is committed to creating and nurturing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus environment that fosters mutual respect and understanding among students, faculty, staff, administration, and alumni.
FDU embraces a culture of open mindedness, diversity of thought, and cultural expression. The University encourages multiple perspectives to enrich the educational experience for the University community. FDU emphasizes understanding cultural experiences and perspectives by cultivating respectful communication among members of the FDU community.
The University is focused on ensuring that students, faculty, staff, administration, and alumni thrive personally and professionally in a global environment in order to challenge and reject racial divisiveness, prejudice, systemic privilege, and oppression. To this end, FDU does not tolerate discrimination or bias based on race, religion, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, sex, ability status, age, nationality, and socioeconomic class.
History
Founded in 1942 by Dr. Peter Sammartino and his wife, Sylvia (Sally), Fairleigh Dickinson University has grown into the largest private university in New Jersey. Today, more than 11,500 students from 32 states and 72 countries are enrolled on the University’s two campuses in northern New Jersey and its international campuses in Wroxton, England and Vancouver, Canada. Beginning as a two-year junior college, Fairleigh Dickinson expanded to a four-year curriculum in 1948 to fill the need for higher education in northern New Jersey. In 1954, the first graduate program, a master’s degree in business administration, was offered, and Bergen Junior College was purchased as a second campus, now Metropolitan Campus. In 1956, Fairleigh Dickinson gained University status and, one year later, the 178-acre Vanderbilt-Twombly estate was acquired in Madison to serve as a third campus, now Florham Campus.
FDU became the first American university to own a campus in England when it acquired Wroxton College from Trinity College, Oxford University. Opened in 1965, Wroxton College offers American students graduate and undergraduate courses as well as an enriching cultural experience. Formerly a 13th-century abbey, Wroxton College is now a beautifully restored and modernized Jacobean mansion. In 2007, FDU commenced classes at facilities in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
FDU has maintained its commitment to broadening global horizons and fostering greater international understanding. In 2000, the Board of Trustees adopted a focused mission for FDU: to prepare students for world citizenship through global education.
Each of the University campuses has a unique character and vitality. Students benefit from studying at a comprehensive university that offers a wide range of programs and courses, but they also enjoy an atmosphere of warmth and personal attention usually found at much smaller institutions.
Today, FDU offers over 100 degree programs at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels. Its wide range of offerings, coupled with the depth and expertise of its faculty, has Fairleigh Dickinson University poised to serve the citizens of New Jersey and beyond.
The Pillars of FDU
The Pillar Society of Fairleigh Dickinson University was instituted in 2001 by President Michael Adams, to recognize those exceptional individuals who, over time, have made extraordinary contributions to the character and quality of the University, its community and culture.
Award
Presentation of a $1000 check presented at the Convocation each fall. Vancouver recipients will receive their award during Vancouver’s Pre-Commencement Dinner. The recipient’s name is to be inscribed on an individual plaque — presented to recipient. An FDU pin is awarded to each recipient. In addition, Pillar recipients are invited to participate in the commencement ceremony procession for their respective campuses.
Criteria
- Individual serving at FDU in a non-faculty role for at least ten years and below the rank of Assistant Vice President, Associate Vice President or Vice President.
- Individual demonstrates a keen understanding of FDU’s mission and history.
- Individual promotes civility on campus.
- Individual serves as a role model for other FDU employees and students.
- Individual demonstrates high level of concern for students and other members of the University community.
- Individual should be actively involved in the FDU community above and beyond his/her specific job requirements.
Process
In the spring of each academic year, the Office of Human Resources prepares a letter to the FDU community, listing criteria for the award, calling for nominations, and establishing a published deadline.
Students and graduate assistants are not permitted to nominate.
Nominators must be employed with FDU at least three years.
Nominations must be individually submitted with a recommendation. Group petition nominations will not be accepted.
Re-nomination of prior nominees, not previously selected, but who are still eligible, is encouraged.
In the absence of a sufficient pool of nominees, the committee may access the previous pool of nominees from the past two years.
Current qualified Pillar Society members will be permitted to submit one nomination. All current Pillar recipients, upon promotion to the rank of Assistant Vice President, Associate Vice President or Vice President, will retain their position as Pillar but are removed from the nomination and election process.
Nominations will be forwarded to the Office of Human Resources and vetted for adherence to the eligibility criteria referenced above.
The Office of Human Resources will provide active Pillar Society members with a copy of all eligible nomination forms, and include a ballot form. Members will be instructed to mail ballots back to Human Resources.
The Office of Human Resources will determine the results, selecting no more than one recipient from each major New Jersey campus and the Vancouver Campus, and communicate accordingly with the Office of the President, University Operations, and Communications.
Announcements and Awarding of Pillar Awards
A letter signed by the University President, will be sent to each awardee. The names are forwarded to the Senior Vice President for Operations for inclusion in the Convocation program and scripts, and to the Vancouver Campus Executive for inclusion in the Pre-Commencement Dinner program. The names are forwarded, along with the nominations, to the Office of Communications for the development of a 100-200 word citation to be read at the New Jersey convocation or Vancouver Pre-Commencement Dinner. Copies of all nominations will be forwarded to the President’s Office to be kept on file, in a confidential manner, for two years. Citations are to be reviewed by the awardee prior to the presentation. NOTE: Senior Vice President for Operations reads citation; President conveys award. Recipients are encouraged to make a brief (50 words) statement of acceptance. The Office of Human Resources reserves the right to periodically review the procedures and make recommendations to the Office of the President.